Arsenal vs. Anderlecht: Arsene Wenger and Besnik Hasi Post-Match Reaction

Arsenal inexplicably surrendered a three-goal lead at the Emirates Stadium to draw 3-3 with Belgian outfit Anderlecht in their Champions League group-stage clash Tuesday.    

A penalty from Mikel Arteta plus goals from Alexis Sanchez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gave the Gunners a seemingly insurmountable 3-0 lead. But a double from Anthony Vanden Borre and a 90th-minute header from Aleksandar Mitrovic snatched a point for the visitors, inciting a chorus of boos from the watching home supporters come the final whistle.

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After such a spectacular collapse, fingers will naturally be pointed at Arsene Wenger. The downtrodden Gunners boss lamented his side’s defensive frailties throughout the entirety of the clash, per Sky Sports:

"

I think overall we were poor defensively from the first to last minute. When they came back to 3-2, you want to secure yourself the game and we were maybe not cautious enough and went for number four. 

I wasn't ever completely sure we weren't in danger because the whole game we didn't defend well. You have to be realistic as well—they are a good side.

"

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Wenger was also unhappy with the officials, but insisted his team’s naivety and a little tiredness was the main factor in their three-goal surrender, per Sky Sports (h/t Chris Davie of Goal.com):

"

We had a bit of bad luck because the first goal was offside. A bit of lack of concentration because we thought the job was done. 

And a bit of fatigue as well, we had problems to finish the game and we didn't win the challenges anymore.

"

Despite the capitulation, the Frenchman did have praise for two of his goalscorers, but the bad news seemingly keeps on coming for the Gunners, as Wenger confirmed Arteta has picked up an injury, per Ben McAleer of WhoScored.com:

Wenger then went on to reflect on what this result means for his side’s qualification chances, per Sky Sports (h/t BBC Sport):

"

It's hugely disappointing. We have to win our next game and see if we have a chance of winning the group.

I'm confident because one point should be enough but it's not done. Everybody is really down tonight.

"

And when pressed on the chances of finishing top of the group, Wenger admitted that honour looks increasingly likely to go to current table toppers Borussia Dortmund, per Sky Sports (h/t Chris Davie of Goal.com):

"

We'll see [if top spot in the group has now gone]. We have to win our next game and see. We have a chance. It's likely now that Dortmund will win the group and our one worry is to qualify first. I'm confident because one point should be enough but it's not done.

"

Anderlecht boss Besnik Hasi will be undeniably proud of the fortitude showcased by his players. He seemed a little miffed when questioned about the legitimacy of his side’s opening goal, per McAleer:

Hasi was refused Wenger's hand at the final whistle, as the downbeat Arsenal boss marched off down the tunnel. But after such a fine fightback, the Anderlecht boss admitted it was the least of his worries, per Neil Ashton of the Mail Online:

"

It doesn’t hurt me if I don't get his hand. We come from a small competition but we just imagine playing these teams. In these two games against Arsenal we deserve more than just one point. Maybe Arsenal wanted to have fun with their public. I am honoured to have coached my team.

At 3-0 you either say the game is over and let them score the fourth or fifth or you make changes.

At 3-1 we grew in confidence and I have to thank our fans tonight. Even at 3-0 down they gave confidence to the team. Our players got into the rhythm again.

Arsenal played the same way throughout: They tried to score a fourth and at 3-2 you see Arsenal start to have a bit of doubt.

"

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Wenger may be in his right to complain about an error from the officials, but the very best sides shrug those blows off and preserve their focus. As soon as the first goal went in, a nervousness festered amongst the fans and players; when the third Anderlecht goal eventually came, there was a sense of an unerring inevitability about it.

On the flip side, Hasi will be delighted to have steered Anderlecht to one of their most iconic results in recent years. The Belgian outfit have an exciting young team in situ, and if they can marry that talent with the unshakeable resilience they displayed here, they are a side that we’ll surely be seeing a lot more of in Europe’s top-tier competition.